Family Nepticulidae

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Food · Print References · Works Cited

Unidentified Ectodoemia Moth - Hodges #058.97 - Ectoedemia

Willow Leaf Miner ID Request - Stigmella fuscotibiella

St. Andrews leaf miner on Ulmus rubra SA690 2016 1 - Stigmella apicialbella

Ding Darling Refuge leaf miner on Conocarpus erectus D1324 2018 2

Ectoedemia ochrefasciella - Stigmella apicialbella - male

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Nepticuloidea (Pygmy Leafmining Moths)

Family Nepticulidae

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Nepticulidae Braun, 1917

Explanation of Names

From the type genus Nepticula, Latin meaning "granddaughter." (1)

Numbers

97 described species in North America (9 introduced) and many more undescribed; 862 described species worldwide (2)

Size

Forewing lengths from 1.5 - 4.5 mm. (3)

Identification

Adult - some of the smallest Lepidoptera, the basal antennal segment (scape) greatly enlarged and forming a cap over the upper half of the large eye. Forewing broad with long scale fringes. (3)

Larva - legless.

Food

Larvae often leaf mine in woody plants. Adults use rudimentary proboscis to lap up honeydew secreted by aphids. (3)

Print References

Braun, A.F. 1917. Nepticulidae of North America. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 43: 155-209 (4)

Davis, D.R. 1978. New leaf-mining moths of the family Nepticulidae from Florida. The Florida Entomologist 61(4): 209-224 (PDF) (5)

Works Cited

1.	An accentuated list of the British Lepidoptera, with hints on the derivation of the names. Anonymous. 1858. The Entomological Societies of Oxford and Cambridge.

2.	Revised classification and catalogue of global Nepticulidae and Opostegidae (Lepidoptera, Nepticuloidea)

3.	Moths of Western North America Powell and Opler. 2009. UC Press.

4.	Nepticulidae of North America. Annette F. Braun. 1917. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 43: 155-209.

5.	New leaf-mining moths of the family Nepticulidae from Florida. Donald R. Davis. 1978. The Florida Entomologist 61(4): 209-224.

Contributed by Dennis Profant on 19 July, 2007 - 11:52am
Additional contributions by ceiseman, Randy Hardy
Last updated 17 November, 2016 - 7:18am

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